What is legal studies?

The legal profession is responsible for upholding and enforcing the law in court proceedings and other legal matters.

What should I look for in an online legal school?

The best online legal schools should possess either regional or national accreditation from an accrediting body that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

In addition, you can often recognize top online legal schools based on:

The school's name and status

The school's history

Teacher credentials

Alumni network

In choosing the best online legal school for you, you should consider the following factors:

Admission requirements

Residency requirements

Class and teaching style

Testing methods used

Course content and presentation

Program length

Class size

Student-teacher interaction

Technology use

Tuition and financial aid

Transferability of credits

Availability of a dedicated administration team and resources

What levels of online legal programs are available?

The following levels of legal degree online programs are available:

Online Legal Certificate Programs

Online Associates in Legal Studies

Online Bachelor in Legal Studies

Online Masters in Legal Studies

Online PhD in Legal Studies

How long does it take to get an online legal degree?

The amount of time it takes a student to earn an accredited online legal degree depends on the level of legal degree being pursued and the pace of the student.

Typically, the breakdown is as follows:

Online Legal Certification Programs - 6 months to 1 year

Online Legal Associates Degree - 2 years

Online Legal Bachelor Degree - 4 years

Online Legal Masters - 2 years

Online Legal PhD - 2 to 5 years

What are some examples of online legal courses?

Students in a popular online legal school can expect to take courses such as:

Family Law
In this course, students examine the legal elements of marriage, separation, divorce, child custody, annulments, property separation, and related tax consequences.

Legal Writing
Students will learn the formatting requirements for preparation of various legal documents such as briefs, letters, and pleadings.

Law Office Administration and Management
Management principles and systems are examined in this course. Special emphasis is placed on record-keeping, escrow accounts, billing, and accounting.

Criminal Law
This course examines the prosecution and defense of major crime cases including review of constitutional law and criminal procedures.

Bankruptcy Law
In this course, students learn about the principles of the bankruptcy code while examining non-bankruptcy alternatives.

What areas of legal specialization are available?

The legal profession is rich with opportunities for specialization. These are some of the areas of expertise chosen by graduates of online legal certificate programs:

Civil Law

Criminal Law

Healthcare Law

Court Reporting

Labor Law

Legal History

Legal Assisting

Immigration Law

Family Law

What can I do with a legal degree?

Graduating from an accredited online legal school with the best online legal degree available gives students a wide variety of career choices. These are some of the most common legal jobs chosen by graduates of online legal training programs:

Paralegal

Legal Assistant

Legal Researcher

Court Reporter

Legal Adviser

What is a lawyer?

Lawyers provide professional legal services to private clients or to the state.

What does a lawyer do?

Lawyers develop and advance cases to prosecute or defend accused parties in legal proceedings. This may be in the context of trial, in the appeals process, or outside of court proceedings altogether in private legal negotiation. In every case, lawyers must conduct research and prepare legal documents to make their case, including briefs, motions, and certificates of service.

How much does a lawyer earn?

Lawyers earn an average annual salary of $124,750. Job growth is expected at an average rate. Large numbers of graduates from law schools create strong competition for new positions in established firms, while setting up a new independent practice presents a considerable challenge for recent graduates.

How do I become a lawyer?

The path of how to become a lawyer leads squarely through an accredited law school. Most law programs offer three-year degrees which must be supplemented by some specific study in preparation for a state bar examination. Various additional requirements exist to practice before certain courts.

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